Camellia tips for garden clubbers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 605, 26 September 1995, Page 12

Camellia tips for garden clubbers

Twenty Raetihi Garden Club members were intfoduced to the intricacies of camellia growing by two experts from Wanganui at their meeting held on 24 August in the Presbyterian Hall. Cath Campbell has been with the Wanganui Camellia Society since 1961 and has been a national judge and both she and her husband Colin have been presidents of the Wanganui Camellia Society. They explained that in spite of being shallow rooted, camellias are really very hardy plants and can take ruthless pruning. They recommended a slow release fertiliser when planting and flowers of sulphur for any signs of yellowing. Both grafting and aerial rooting systems were explained. From grafting to flowering takes two years but only six months to flowering from aerial rooting. Cath and Colin demonstrated exhibiting camellia blooms for the spring show. Important points were having the right height for the pottles and removing superfluous buds and leaves. However, classification is very tricky with thousands of camellias di vided into three main groups : Sasanqua which are narrow leaved and flower in autumn and early winter and are native to Japan; Japonica, also native to Japan, Korea, China and Okinawa, grows to five metres and flowers from early winter to late spring; The other main di vision is reticulata with distinct foliage. The leaves, heavily veined and of a dull green, are larger than the japonicas. The tree can grow over 10 metres tall. Because of the difficulties of classification, the Raetihi Garden Club decided to stage their camellia section under forms rather than species this year. Colin and Cath kindly organised judges for this section. As an incentive for exhibitors a camellia plant were awarded to the points prize winner over the camellia section this year. Two other new prizes were a small plant for the winner of the photographic competition and Mrs E Bowater kindly donated a perpetual cup for points prize to go to a Waimarino exhibitor in the narcissi section. Members were reminded about the Town & Country Competition. Gardens will be judged over six months without prior notice, once in the spring and once in the summer as gardens vary so much at different seasons. Details can be obtained by phoning Elaine Billett 3854300. In the monthly competitions the single bloom was won by Jo Nutting with Jean Fredericksen second and Judy Tod third. The spike was won by Maureen Bell, Lynley Graham second and Judy Tod third. The best shrub was Judy Tod' s, with Heather Oli ver second and Lynley Graham third. The spring bulb was won by Lynley Graham with Keitha Journeaux second and Judy Tod third. The Spring Show took the place of the September meeting.